VA Diagnostic Code 6200Chronic suppurative otitis media, mastoiditis, or cholesteatoma (or any combination):
A single 10% rating under § 4.87. Here is what the VA requires for it.
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- 10%
During suppuration, or with aural polyps
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: Evaluate hearing impairment, and complications such as labyrinthitis, tinnitus, facial nerve paralysis, or bone loss of skull, separately.
Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media, Mastoiditis, or Cholesteatoma (VA Diagnostic Code 6200)
Body system: Impairment of Auditory Acuity — 38 CFR § 4.87
Understanding the Condition
Diagnostic Code 6200 covers chronic suppurative otitis media, mastoiditis, or cholesteatoma — or any combination of these conditions. These are chronic ear conditions affecting the middle ear and surrounding structures.
Available Rating Level
Under Diagnostic Code 6200, the VA provides the following rating:
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 10% | During suppuration, or with aural polyps |
What the VA Looks For
When rating this condition, the VA considers whether there is active suppuration (discharge) or the presence of aural polyps, which supports the 10% rating.
Related Conditions Rated Separately
Per VA guidance, certain associated conditions are evaluated separately rather than folded into this rating. According to the note for this diagnostic code:
Evaluate hearing impairment, and complications such as labyrinthitis, tinnitus, facial nerve paralysis, or bone loss of skull, separately.
This means that if you experience hearing loss or other listed complications alongside this condition, those may be assessed on their own.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 6200. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any particular rating or outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.87, diagnostic code 6200. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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